Variable depth operating mechanism sub-assemblies



April 16, 1963 w. w. PoULToN, JR 3,086,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES n\ u z n A O o l LAND 5a.

INVENTOR. ya foA/ my@ Paz/ 4 721,/

April 16, 1963 w. w. PoULToN, JR 3,085,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 19, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. w/fa/v ma@ ,aan fa/v, we.

Hija/@M yf April 16, 1963 w. w. POULTON, JR 3,086,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 19, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FFE- 5- El E; 5.

INV ENTOR. W/l Ja/t/ /z//ze ,000.4 70M, m?.

April 16, 1963 w. w. PoULToN, JR 3,086,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 19, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 rfv,

April 16, 1963 l w. w. PoULToN, JR 3,086,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 19, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FEM `April 16, 1963 w. w. PouLToN, JR 3,086,092

VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Filed Feb. 19. 1960 e sheets-Sheet e IN VEN TOR. da Ja/v w44@ Paw. m/v, we,

United States Patent Oice 3,036,992 Patented Apr. 15, 1963 3,086,02 VARIABLE DEPTH OPERATING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLIES Wilson W. Poulton, Jr., Broomall, Pa., assigner to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 9,?46 12 Claims. (Cl. Zilli- 50) The instant invention relates to an operating mechanism whereby a circuit breaker mounted within an enclosure may be operated from a handle exteriorly of the enclosure and mounted to the cover thereof. This invention represent-s an improvement over the mechanism illustrated in U.S. Patent 2,890,301Z. More particularly this invention relates to an operating mechanism for variable depth enclosures comprising a plurality of sub-assemblies.

This invention contemplates the provision of a mechanism operable externally of a box for controlling a circuit breaker mounted within the box. The mechanism is comprised of a plurality of pre-assembled units or subassemblies, thus decreasing the operations required in mounting portions of the mechanism to the box cover and to the circuit breaker. With this construction, mounting is independent of the thickness of the sheet material comprising the box cover thereby eliminating the use of shims.

in prior art mechanisms of the type to be hereinafter described the constructions comprised many small elements which could not be assembled to one another until a number of the elements were first mounted to the box cover. This meant that the mechanism assembly could not take place until the box covers were fabricated.

The construction set forth in the instant invention is such that the elements of the cover mounted mechanism are assembled to one another to form two `sub-assemblies. These sub-assemblies are automatically connected to each other as the sub-assemblies are mounted to the cover.

In this invention a box having a hinged cover carries the rotary control handle of a handle sub-assembly exterio-rly thereon. The input plate of a universal coupling forming part of an enclosure mechanism sub- `assembly -is secured to the control handle interiorly of the cover for rotation by the handle.

ln addition to the input plate, the universal coupling comprises an intermediate plate mounted lto the input plate and an output plate mounted to the intermediate plate. The mountings between the universal plates are such that the relative translational movement between the output and intermediate plates is at right angles to the relative translational movement between the intermediate and the -input plates. A centering spring biases the plates of universal coupling to a center or neutral position.

Circularly arranged guide fingers extend from the output plate perpendicular thereto and away from the cover. The free ends of the guide lingers are outwardly flared to form a wide mouthed 4opening for the reception of the top plate of the extending mechanism which is mounted within the box.

The extending mechanism comprises a mounting plate sub-assembly and a shaft sub-assembly removably secured thereto. A drive shaft of the shaft sub-assembly is positioned at right angles to the top plate with one end of the drive shaft being rigidly secured to the top plate. 'Fue other end of the drive shaft is rigidly secured to a cam of the mounting plate sub-assembly having an aperture within which the control handle of the circuit breaker is disposed. The drive shaft is mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof with rotation of the drive shaft effecting operation of the circuit breaker operating handle.

The top plate is formed in the shape of a large disk which is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the circle about which the universal output plate guide fingers are arranged. The float-like mounting between the plates of the universal mounting permits relative movement between the plates so that the output plate will automatically align itself with the top plate of the mechanism mounted within the box even though there is extreme misalignment between the input plate and the top plate.

A driving connection between the universal input plate and the extending mechanism is achieved by a driving latch comprising a dog which is mounted to the output plate, positioned perpendicular thereto, and biased toward the center thereof. The top plate disk is provided with a peripheral notch which receives the dog and in this mauner rotation of the universal input plate is transmitted to the top plate of the extending assembly which in turn causes rotation of the drive shaft and cam which effects operation of the circuit breaker operating handle. If the cover is closed when the control handle mounted thereon is not set at a position corresponding to the position of the circuit breaker operating handle, the top plate disk will engage the driving latch dog and force it outwardly against its biasing means. Thereafter when the control handle is rotated, only at such time as the dog is aligned opposite the peripheral notch o-f the top plate will the biasing means acting on the dog force the dog into the top plate notch and thereafter the extending mechanism will rotate in unison with the control handle.

By utilizing the extending mechanism previously described the same size box having the same control handle and mechanism mounted `to its cover may be used to enclose circuit breakers of varying frame sizes. The only adjustment required is in the length of the single drive shaft. That is, the length of the drive shaft must be such that the top plate disk lies between the guide fingers o f the universal output plate when the cover is closed. It has been found that the utilization of a relatively large size disk as a top plate of the extending mechanisrn is a safety feature not found in similar mechanisms of the prior art. That is, the prior art devices have utilized a member projecting a relatively sharp member mounted within the box and extending toward the cover thereof.. When it becomes necessary to either change the circuit breaker or perform an adjustment thereof, the servicemans interest is usually directed to the circuit breaker. He then forgets that there is a mechanism in the enclosure which projects from the circuit breaker toward the cover to connect the cover mounted handle to the circuit breaker operating handle. Thus, the serviceman in moving his head toward the circuit breaker is in danger of having his eye or a portion of his head injured by the sharp projection.

lt has been found that by utilizing `the universal coupling as previously outlined it is possible to effectively compensate for greater degrees of misalignment than it is possible to compensate for by utilizing the teachings of the prior art and still obtain reliable performance. In the prior art devices misalignrnent between the cover mounted mechanism and the mechanism mounted within the box is compensated for by resiliently mounting the extending mechanism With the resilient mounting permitting the extending mechanism to tilt. This often interferes with subsequent operation of the circuit breaker.

Misalignment between the cover mounted handle and the operating handle of the circuit breaker upon closing of the cover was compensated for in the prior art by spring means which permitted a portion of the cover mounted mechanism to move `toward the cover. Of necessity, the degree of movement to be provided for was extremely large thereby necessitating enlargement of e) the cover mounted mechanism as a whole and the utilization of extremely complicated structures.

The simple universal coupling arrangement and driving latch of the instant invention provides an extremely reliable and simple construction which compensates for misalignment between the cover mounted mechanism and the bus mounted mechanism as well as for misalignment between the cover mounted control handle and the operating handle of the circuit breaker.

The handle sub-assembly includes a top locking plate to which the handle is rotatably mounted by a split spring retainer while the enclosure mechanism sub-assembly includes a mounting plate to which the other members of this sub-assembly are operatively mounted. Screws, captivated by the enclosure mechanism sub-assembly, extend through clearance holes in the box cover and are received by trapped holes in the top plate. Tightening of these screws iixedly secures both sub-assemblies to the cover with the handle in operative engagement with the input plate of the universal couplingT yand mounting being readily accomplished through a wide range of cover thicknesses.

Accordingly, a primary object of `the instant invention is to provide a novel operating mechanism which is operated externally of an enclosure for control of a circuit breaker mounted therein.

Another object is to provide a variable depth mechanism wherein the simple alternative of a single part will enable the same cover mounted mechanism to be utilized with enclosures of varying depths and with circuit breakers of more than a single frame size.

Still another object is to provide a novel enclosure cover mounted mechanism for operation of an enclosure mounted circuit breaker with `the mechanism comprising two sub-assemblies which are readily securable to the cover without the necessity of utilizing shims despite variations in cover thickness.

The foregoing as well as other objects and features of the other invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the enclosure looking at the cover showing the exterior control handle in relation to the indicia plate, a portion of the cover being broken away to show certain elements` of the mecanism.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken through line 2 2 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of arrows 2 2.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken through line 3 3 of FiGURE 1 looking in the direction of arrows 3 3.

FlGURE 4 is a cross-section taken -through line 4 4 of FEGURE 1 looking in the direction of arrows 4 4.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary portion of the mechanism showing the handle and cover latch when the handle is in the reset position thus releasing the cover latch.

FIGURE 6 is an enlargement of the mechanism of FGURE 2 mounted to the cover interiorly thereof.

FIGURES 7-10 are cross-sections of FIGURE 6 taken through lines 7 7, 8 8, 9 9 and 1tl 16, respectively, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FGURES 1i1-l5 are fragmentary views of the mechanism in various positions of the cover mounted control handle.

FlGURE 16 is a cross-section of the universal output plate taken through the driving latch.

FIGURE 17 is an exploded perspective of the mechanism.

FlGURE 18 is a perspective showing details of the cover mounted control handle.

FGURE 19 is a side elevation of the mechanisms with the sub-assembles exploded.

Referring to the figures, a molded case circuit breaker unit B is shown enclosed within a housing or box C and mounted to the back panel 21 thereof, the box having a door or lid D hinged thereto at hinges 22 in a conventional manner. The usual gasket 23 is provided for the cover.

A description of the mechanism will now be given with particular reference to FIGURE 17 and as otherwise noted.

The invention as viewed in FIGURE 17 comprises a control handle 2S integral with a shaft 26 molded thereto, the shaft passing through a bore 2.7 in notched top locking plate 28 fastened exteriorly on the cover or door D, and thence, through a bore 29 in the door D, and through a bore 36 in a mounting plate 31 fastened interiorly to the door D. The elements 28 and 31 are secured to the door by means of bolts 32 captivated to plate 31 passing through holes, such as 33, and having threaded engagement in aligned holes 34 in plate 28. Shaft 26 has a collar 35 surrounding it which is stationary and press fitted in bores 3i? so as to be secured to mounting plate 31. Ring-shaped groove 26a in Ishaft 26 is positioned below locking plate 28 and receives retaining washer 26b thereby rotatably retaining handle 25 to cover D.

Carried -on the mounting plate 31 is a latch plate 36, having a latch hook 37, which is pivoted to the mounting plate by the end defeater pin 38 passing through bores 39 and 40 and peened so as to grip the latch plate 36. Pin 38 has an integral slotted head accessible externally of cover D and plate 36 is provided with a pin 41 extending away from cover D, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Latch hook 37 is operatively positioned to engage the peripheral edge of plate 101 to lock door D closed.

A spring 42 surrounds collar 35 with sufficient radial clearance so that it can be wound at least a partial turn without binding on the collar. One end ofthe spring 42 is `suitably secured in a small bore 43 in the latch plate 36 while the other end is hook-like and bears in recess 44 of universal input 45. The plate 45 is provided with a rectangular slot 46 which keys the plate 45 to the rectangular end 47 of shaft 26. Bearing 48 rests upon shoulder 49 of collar 35 and is provided with downwardly projecting ears 50 which extend through holes 51 in plate 45. The free ends of ears 5t) `are staked thereby rotatably securing bearing 48 to collar 35.

Input plate 45 comprises a portion of a universal coupling means which also includes intermediate plate 52 and output plate 53. Pins 54, having enlarged heads, extend upwardly lthrough clearance holes 55 in intermediate plate 52 and through elongated guide slots 56 in input plate 45. Retaining 4split washers 57, fitted within circular grooves of pins 54, operatively retain intermediate plate `52 to input plate 4S while, at the same time permitting relative movement therebetween journaled by guide slots 56.

Pins 60, having enlarged heads, extend downwardly through elongated guide .slots 61 4in intermediate plate 52 and clearance holes 62 in output plate 53 and spring member 65. The free ends of pins 60 are staked to operatively secure output plate 53 to intermediate plate 52 permitting relative movement therebetween journaled by guide slots 61.

It is to be noted that 'the plates 45, 52, 53 are journaled for movement parallel to cover D and that guide slots 61 are transverse to guide slots 56 being at substantially right angles thereto. Thus, an output plate `53 may be moved a considerable distance in `any direction relative to i-nput plate 45.

A single spring 66 is provided to bias intermediate and output plates 52, 53 to a centered position with respect to input plate 45. The center of spring 66 is looped at the center thereof with the loop 67 surrounding one of the pins 66. The ends of spring 66 are anchored in openings l68 of input plate 45. Spring 66 lies in a plane between input plate 45 and intermediate plate 52.

Output plate 53 is provided with three circularly arranged guide fingers 76 which extend away from cover D. Fingers 70 are outwardly dared at the free ends thereof to form a wide-mouthed opening which facilitates the entrance of disk 1&1 between guide ngers 70 upon closing of cover D.

One of .the guide fingers 70 is provided with a central slot within which dog 71 is partially disposed. Dog 71 is riveted at 72 t-o spring 65 and is biased thereby into notch 99 of top plate 1111 when control handle 25 is aligned with circuit breaker operating handle 111 for effecting the operation thereof as will be hereinafter explained. Even when dog 71 is positioned within notch 99, a portion of dog 71 remains disposed in the slot of l'inger 711 which thereby provides the mechanical rigidity required for driving operating handle 111.

The portion of the mechanism hereinbefore described is kgenerally designated the cover mounted mechanism while the mechanism which is about to be described is generally designated the extending mechanism of mechanism mounted Within the case.

This latter mechanism comprises the disk forming 'top pla-te 1(11 which is keyed t-o square rod 102 at the top end thereof. The bottom end of rod 'IGZ -is secured to breaker cam bearing 163 by set screw 104. Bearing 103 is rotatably mounted to mounting plate 105 by having a bearing portion of reduced diameter (not shown) at the bottom end thereof inserted in-to opening of plate 1115 and thereafter enlarged to prevent withdrawal therethrough.

Screws 107 pass through clearance slots 18 in plate 195 as well as `through clearance holes 109 being received by threaded apertures (not shown) in back wall 21 of enclosure C. Thus, breaker B is mounted within enclosure C and mounting plate 1115 is maintained in operative position relative to breaker B. Operating handle 111 extends through elongated plate `opening 110l and is positioned within earn aperture `112 so that pivoting of rod 102 brings about operation of hand-le 111.

As cover D is pivoted to its closed position top disk 101 is engaged by the outwardly ared free ends of guide fingers 70. 1f the cover mounted and extending mechanisms are misaligned one or both of the intermediate 52 and output plates 53 are moved against the force of centering spring 66 until output plate 53 is centered with respect to disk `101 and disk 101 is positioned within the circle dened by the non-dared portions of guide ngers 79.

During closing cam surface latch member 37a engages disk 1111 and member 36 is rotated against its bias 42 about pin 38` until latch tip 37 falls beneath disk 101.

If upon closing the position of control handle does not correspond to the position of circuit breaker handle 111 dog 711 engages the peripheral edge 98 of disk 101 and is thereby driven away from the center of output plate 53. Rotation of control handle 25 will not cause rotation of disk 1111 until a time after the positions of handles 25 and 111 coincide. Once handles 25 and 111 coincide spring 65 drives dog 71 into notch 99 and thereafter dog 71 acts as a driving latch drivingly connecting the universal coupling means 45, 52, 53 to output disk 101.

In order to effect locking of the handle in either on or off positions, there are provided a pair of notches 114 and 115 (FIGURES 15 and 18) in plate 28 which are radially aligned with the respective on and off indicia on the door D. These notches coact with a slidably locking pin 120` in handle 25 having a forward edge 12de: which can engage in either of the notches 114 and y115. Pin 120 is substantially of U shape so as to allow space for the ngers of an operator to fully grasp handle 25. The locking pin |'120 is carried in a slot 122 molded in handle 25 and a spring 125 is carried in a slot 12% in locking pin 120i, slot 122 in handle 25 being widened to form a recess 126 to accommodate spring 125. Thus, the spring 125 bearing against the shoulders at the ends of the recess 126, and the spring being under initial compression biases pin 120 to outward position so that a tab 120C which is formed at the extreme forward end of the 5 pin normally protrudes outwardly of the end of handle 25, the outer edge or" the handle being sulficiently slotted to permit tab 12de to protrude therethrough.

Accordingly, by manual pressure on tab 120e, pin i120 can be thrust to the left against the bias of spring so that edge 120a may be inserted in either notch 114 or 15 of latch plate 28, depending on whether handle 25 is at the on or the ott position, pin 120 being locked in notch 114 for the on position, or pin 128 may be radially aligned for locking in notch 115 for the olf position.

Plate 28 is provided with shoulders I132 and 136 which serve as stops to limit motion of handle 25 in either direction since pin 121) will engage shoulder 132 at the on position, and will engage shoulder 136 lat the reset position. Pin 121)` is then biased out of engagement with plate 28 by spring 125, as will be understood from the foregoing description, but edge 121m is always within the contines of the shoulders.

Handle 25, at its forward end, is provided with a sizable aperture 140, open at the bottom, to permit insertion of pin 120 during assembly. Aperture 140 is suitable to accommodate the hasp `143 of one or more padlocks 146 (FIGURE 18). Normally, the aperture 140, when pin 120 is biased outwardly, is blocked by the forward edge 143a of the pin 120; when, however, aperture 140 is cleared by rearward pushing of tab 129e, the padlock hasp 143 can be inserted in the aperture 141). Accordingly, it will be seen that pin 120 can be utilized to lock in either notch 114 or 115, and with the padlock hasp in aperture 140, the pin is prevented from moving outward since the portion comprising edge 145m of pin 120 is blocked by the hasp 143, thus, handle 25 is lockable in either the on or off position, but not in any other position.

Spring 42 lightly biases the handle 25 toward on position when the door D is open. Spring 42 also biases latch plate 36 toward latching engagement with ear 96 depending from member 31 and disposed within slot 95 of member 36; thus, rotating handle 25 to reset effects engagement of stud end 41a with cam rise 94 on input plate 45 to release latch hook 37 from beneath top plate 101, the spring 42 being wound to tighten thereby eifecting clockwise rotation of latch plate 36, reducing the diameter of the spring slightly, but not enough to bind on collar 35 owing to the initial radial spacing hereinabove mentioned. In order to open door D, when pin 120` is locked in notch 114, the on position of handle 25, the defeater pin 38 is rotated clockwise (FIGURE l) by a suitable screw driver tool inserted in the partially accessible slot of the pin head and rotated to rotate hook 37 out of engagement with top plate 101.

Although spring 4-2 maintains plate 36 toward hook engaging position, as stated, when handle 25 is swung to reset, pin end 41a engages the cam edge 94 to rotate plate 36 and thus unlock door D, full motion of the handle down t0 reset being required, a safety feature being thus effected.

In order to limit the arcuate motion of plate 35, the mounting plate 311 is provided with an ear 96 which is freely slidable in a slot `95 in plate 36. Thus, the arcuate travel of plate 36 is stopped by engagement of the edges of ear 96 with the respective ends of slot 95. Ear 96 has a tab which overlaps the end of the slot to serve as a retainer for plate 36 so that it will not be bent away from the door by tension exerted by locking engagement with top plate 1011. The tab is of suitable dimension to always overlap the end of the slot toward which it points or the surface of plate 36 at the side of the slot, so that it will provide sliding support for the plate at any rotated position thereof.

In order to prevent defeating the latch 37, and thereby opening of the door D when the handle is in the off position and locked by a padlock in that position, the handle 26 closely overlaps pin 38 so that access to the slot in the pin cannot be had. Thus, a repairman working on the line will not be endangered by having current turned on since the door cannot be opened by defeating the latch provided, of course, one or more padlocks are used to ensure the handle remaining in the locked off position. By virtue of the rotative mounting universali coupling means d5, 52, 53 and the extending mechanism itil, should the breaker open, the handle lli thereof will snap downward carrying with it handle 25 to indicate tripped on the indicia plate P. In order to reset the breaker after it has opened, it is merely necessary to move handle 2S to reset position and then upwardly to the on position.

It will thus be seen that door D is always latched closed by engagement of hook 37 with top plate 101 unless such engagement is deliberately broken by rotation of pin 3d. Further, pin 3S is not accessible to defeat the latch when handle 2S is at off position. In addition, resetting of the breaker is accomplished by handle 2S and there is no need to open door D for this purpose. However, the door can be opened, if desired, by moving handle 25 to the reset position. Finally, handle 25 may be locked in either the on or oif positions by one or more padlocks without preventing opening of the breaker when padlocked in the on position.

As may readily be seen from the foregoing description, it is a simple matter to alter ythe extending mechanism so' that a single cover mounted mechanism may be used with enclosures of varying `depths regardless of the frame size of the circuit breaker mounted therein. That is, the only adjustment required is a mere cutting of a single rod 102 to compensate for the spacing between the cover mounted mechanism and the circuit breaker operating handle lll. Misalignment between the cover mounted mechanism and the extending mechanism is corrected by aligning means comprising the universal `coupling assembly 45, 52, 53 with the plates thereof moving from their centered or neutral position as required to permit output plate 53 to be centered with respect to top plate itil.

With particular reference to FEGURE 19 it is seen that the cover mounted mechanism consists of a handle subassembly and an enclosure sub-assembly while the extending mechanism consists of a shaft sub-assembly and a mounting plate sub-assembly. The handle sub-assembly includes the operatively `connected elements 25 and 28; the enclosure sub-assembly includes the operatively connected elements 3i, 35, 36, 45, S2. and 53; the shaft sub-assembly includes the operatively connected elements itil and 102; and the mounting plate sub-assembly includes operatively connected elements 103 and 105. The handle and enclosure sub-assemblies are removably connected to each other as well as to cover D by means of bolts 32 while the shaft and mounting plate sub-assemblies are removably connected to each other by set screw 104.

lt is to be noted that during mounting of the handle sub-assembly a wedge, in the form of packing 156, maintains slide pin l2@ positioned to the left with respect to FEGURE 19 while edge Mila is disposed within the on notch M4 of top plate 28. ln this position of pin llZ, plate 23 is fixed relative to handle 25. Spring 42 biases the elements of the enclosure sub-assembly to the on position. Thus, it is a simple matter to position the tapped roles 34 of plate 28 in alignment with clearance holes 33 of cover D to receive bolts 32. This positioning is accomplished by aligning handle 25 with the on indicia on the outside of cover D. As best seen in FIGURES 7-10 clearance holes are provided in plates S2 and 53 through which a screwdriver is insertable to engage the head of bolts 32 for tightening and loosening thereof, as the case may be.

While certain of the claims may refer to the fact that the members are mounted against movement toward and away from the cover or along `the axis of the extending rod, it is to be understood that Vlimited movement in brd these directions are still present for purposes of permitting relative rotative or sliding movement between adjacent members. Nevertheless, these former movements are not built in for purposes of alignment compensation.

Having thus described this invention, it is apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly thus invention is not to be limited to the precise embodiment illustrated herein except as set forth in the appending claims.

l claim:

l. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism including a handle sub-assembly and an enclosure sub-assembly; said handle sub-assembly including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; .an extending mechanism sub-assembly having a first end being in operative engagement with said operating handle .and a second end of said extending mechanism being operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub- :assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when .said cover is closed, said enclosure sub-assembly including-fastening means which cooperate with said handle sublassembly for rigidly mounting said handle and said enfclosure sub-assemblies to said enclosure; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism sub-assembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies.

2. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism including Ia handle sub-assembly and 4an enclosure sub-assembly; said handle sub-assembly including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; an extending mechanism sub-assembly having a lirst end :being in operative engagement with said operating handle and a second end being operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; a common fastening means securing both said handle and said enclosure sub-assemblies to said cover, said `fastening means being mounted to be accessible only from the interior of said enclosure; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism sub-assembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies.

3. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit Ibreaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism including a handle sub-assembly and an enclosure sub-assembly; said handle sub-assembly including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; an extending mechanism sub-assembly having a lirst end being in operative engagement with said operating handle and a second end being operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate abutting the exterior surface of said cover and said enclosure sub-assembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface of said cover; means for xedly securing said top plate and said mounting plate to said cover, said means being accessible only from the interior of said enclosure; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly,

enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism subasembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies.

4. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit 4breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism including a handle sub-assembly and an enclosure sub-assembly; said handle sub-assembly including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; an extending mechanism sub-assembly having a rst end being in operative engagement with said operating handle and a second end being operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate abutting the exterior surface of said cover and said enclosure sub-assembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface of said cover; said top plate ybeing rotatably secured to said control handle, Ia common fastening means fixedly securing .both said top plate and said mounting plate to said cover, said Afastening means being accessible only from the interior of said enclosure; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure subassembly and extending mechanism sub-assembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies.

5. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism including a handle sub-assembly and an enclosure sub-assembly; said handle sub-assembly including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; an extending mechanism sub-assembly having a iirst end being in operative engagement with said operating handle and a second end being operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate abutting the exterior surface of vsaid cover and said enclosure sub-assembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface of said cover; means `for 4fixedly securing said top plate and said mounting plate to said cover and being accessible only from the interior of said disclosure; said enclosure sub-assembly comprising a universal coupling means including a plurality of members mounted together for relative movement with respect to each other thereby compensating for misalignment between said cover mounted mechanism and said extending mechanism; said enclosure sub-assembly further including a coilar having a first end thereof secured to said mounting plate; said universal coupling means being rotatably mounted to said collar at a second end thereof; said control handle including an extension extending through said collar into operative engagement with said universal coupiing means registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism sub-assembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies.

6. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism and an extending mechanism subassembly; said cover mounted mechanism including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; said extending mechanism comprising a mounting plate subassembly mounted to said circuit breaker and having a iirst portion in operative engagement with said manual operating handle; an enclosure sub-assembly; said extending mechanism also lcomprising a shaft sub-assembly whose second end is operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism subassembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies; said enclosure subassembly comprising a universal coupling means including a plurality of members mounted together for relative lmovement with respect to each other thereby compensating for misalignment between said cover mounted mechanism and said extending mechanism; one of said plurality of members comprising a plate having circularly arranged fingers extending away from said cover; said ngers having outwardly flared ends to form a wide mouthed opening; said second end of said shaft subassembly comprising a disk disposed within Ia circular area defined lby said iingers; a dog carried by one of said 'lingers and biased toward the center of said circular area; said disk -having a peripheral notch adapted to receive said dog; said dog when disposed within said notch providing a portion of a driving connection between said control handle and said operating handle, a mounting plate, said universal coupling means being pivotally mounted thereto, said mounting plate including fastening means for securing said mounting plate and said control handle to said enclosure, said fastening means `being accessible only when said enclosure cover is opened.

7. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism and an extending mechanism subassembly; said cover mounted mechanism including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; said extending mechanism comprising a mounting plate subassembly mounted to said circuit breaker and having a iirst portion in operative engagement with said manual operating handle; an enclosure sub-assembly; said extending mechanism also comprising a shaft sub-assembly whose second end is operably engage-able by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism subassembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies; said enclosure subassembly comprising a universal coupling means including a plurality of members mounted together for relative movement with respect to each other thereby compensating for misalignment between said cover mounted mechanism and said extending mechanism; one of said plurality of members comprising a plate having circularly arranged rdngers extending away from said cover; said fingers having outwardly iiared ends to form a wide mouthed opening; said second end of said shaft subassembly comprising a disk disposed within a circular area clened by said iingers; a dog carried by one of said fingers and biased toward the center of said circular area; said disks having a peripheral notch adapted to receive said dog; said dog when disposed within said notch providing a portion of a driving connection between said control handle and said operating handle; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate abutting the exterior surface of said cover and said enclosure sub-assembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface l1 of said cover; means for xedly securing said top` plate and said mounting plate to said cover; said enclosuresub-assembly also including a l-atch plate pivotally mounted to said mounting plate and having a latch hook which cooperates with said disk to maintain said cover closed.

8. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism and an extending mechanism subassembly; said cover mounted mechanism including a control handle carried on the exterior side of ysaid cover for manual control of said operating handle; said extending mechanism comprising a mounting plate subassembly mounted to said circuit breaker and having a first portion in operative engagement with said manual operating handle; an enclosure sub-assembly; said extending mechanism also comprising a shaft sub-assembly whose second end is operably engageable by a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism subassembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies; said enclosure subassembly comprising a universal 'coupling means including a plurality of members mounted together for relative movement with respect to each other thereby compensating for misalignment `between said cover mounted mechanism and said extending mechanism; one of said plurality of members 4comprising a plate having circularly arranged fingers extending away from said cover; said iingers having outwardly ilared ends to form a wide mouthed opening; said second end of said shaft subassembly comprising a disk disposed within a circular area defined by said ingers; a dog carried =by one of said fingers and biased toward the center of said circular area; said disk having a peripheral notch adapted to receive said dog; said dog when disposed Within said notch providing a portion of a driving connection between said control handle and said operating handle; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate abutting the exterior sur-face of said cover and said enclosure su-bassembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface of said cover; means for iixedly securing said top plate and said mounting plate to said cover; said enclosure sub-assembly also including a latch plate pivotally mounted to said mounting plate and having a latch hook which cooperates with said disk to maintain said cover closed; said latch plate being movable by said control handle to move said latch hook to an unlatching position; means extending to the exterior of said cover for operation of said latch plate independently of said control handle.

9. An operating mechanism for a variable depth enclosure wherein a circuit breaker unit having a manual operating handle is mounted; said enclosure including a cover; said operating mechanism comprising a cover mounted mechanism and an extending mechanism subassembly; said cover mounted mechanism including a control handle carried on the exterior side of said cover for manual control of said operating handle; an enclosure sub-assembly; said extending mechanism comprising a mounting plate sub-assembly mounted to said circuit breaker and having a iirst portion in operative engagement with said manual operating handle; said extending mechanism also `comprising a shaft sub-assembly whose second end is operably engageable iby a portion of said enclosure sub-assembly mounted on the interior side of said cover when said cover is closed; registry means removably connecting said handle sub-assembly, enclosure sub-assembly and extending mechanism subassembly; said registry means including recesses and cooperating projections interconnecting operatively associated members of said sub-assemblies; said enclosure sub-assembly `comprising a universal coupling means including a plurality of members mounted together for relative movement with respect to each other thereby compensating for misalignment between said cover mounted mechanism and said extending mechanism; one of said plurality of members comprising a plate having circularly arranged ingers extending away from said cover; said ngers having outwardly ared ends to form a wide mouthed opening; said second end of said shaft sub-assembly comprising a disk disposed within a circular area delined by said fingers; a dog carried by one of said iingers and biased toward the center of said circular area; said disk having a peripheral notch adapted to receive said dog; said dog when disposed within said notch providing a portion of a driving connection between said control handle and said operating handle; said handle sub-assembly including a top plate `abutting the exterior surface of said cover and said enclosure sub-assembly including a mounting plate abutting the interior surface of said cover; means for lixedly securing said top plate and said mounting plate to said cover; said enclosure sub-assembly also including a latch plate pivotally mounted to said mounting plate and having a latch hook which cooperates with said disk to maintain said cover closed; said latch plate being movable by said control handle to move said latch hook to an unlatching position; means extending to the exterior of said cover pivotally mounting said latch plate to said mounting plate for operation of said latch plate independently of said control handle; said last recited means being accessible only in predetermined positions of said control handle and being further adapted to serve as the pivotal securing means for said latch hook during the unlatching operation.

l0. A sub-assembly for a variable depth operating mechanism comprising a mounting plate, a collar secured at a first end thereof to said mounting plate, a universal coupling means rotatably secured to said collar at a second end thereof; a latch plate, including a latch hook, pivotally mounted to said mounting plate, said mounting plate including fastening means for mounting said sub-assembly to an actuating means, said fastening means being accessible from the face of said mounting plate facing said universal coupling means; said universal coupling means including registry means adapted to engage an extending mechanism sub-assembly.

1l. A sub-assembly for a variable depth operating mechanism comprising a mounting plate, a collar secured at a lirst end thereof to said mounting plate, a universal coupling means rotatably secured to said collar at a second end thereof; a latch plate, including a latch hook, pivotally mounted to said mounting plate; said universal coupling means comprising a plurality of plates mounted for journaled sliding movement in planes parallel to said mounting plate, said mounting plate including yfastening means for mounting said sub-assembly to an actuating means, said fastening means being accessible from the face of said mounting plate facing said universal coupling means; said universal coupling means including registry means adapted to engage an extending mechanism sub-assembly.

l2. A sub-assembly for a variable depth operating mechanism comprising a mounting plate, a collar secured at a rst end thereof to said mounting plate, a universal coupling means rotatably secured to said collar at a second end thereof; a latch plate, including a latch hook, pivotally mounted to said mounting plate; said universal coupling means comprising a plurality of plates mounted for journaled sliding movement in planes parallel to said mounting plate; said mounting plate including fastening means for mounting said sub-assembly to an actuating means, said fastening means being accessible 13 from the face of said mounting plate facing said universal coupling means, each of said plates having =a plurality of apertures; single spring lrneans urging said plurality of plates to predetermined positions relative to each other for aligning associated apertures of said plates in order to `gain access to said fastening means; said References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Benedictis June 9, 1959 Bodenschatz et a1 Nov. 14, 1961 

1. AN OPERATING MECHANISM FOR A VARIABLE DEPTH ENCLOSURE WHEREIN A CIRCUIT BREAKER UNIT HAVING A MANUAL OPERATING HANDLE IS MOUNTED; SAID ENCLOSURE INCLUDING A COVER; SAID OPERATING MECHANISM COMPRISING A COVER MOUNTED MECHANISM INCLUDING A HANDLE SUB-ASSEMBLY AND AN ENCLOSURE SUB-ASSEMBLY; SAID HANDLE SUB-ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CONTROL HANDLE CARRIED ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF SAID COVER FOR MANUAL CONTROL OF SAID OPERATING HANDLE; AN EXTENDING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLY HAVING A FIRST END BEING IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID OPERATING HANDLE AND A SECOND END OF SAID EXTENDING MECHANISM BEING OPERABLY ENGAGEABLE BY A PORTION OF SAID ENCLOSURE SUBASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE INTERIOR SIDE OF SAID COVER WHEN SAID COVER IS CLOSED, SAID ENCLOSURE SUB-ASSEMBLY INCLUDING FASTENING MEANS WHICH COOPERATE WITH SAID HANDLE SUBASSEMBLY FOR RIGIDLY MOUNTING SAID HANDLE AND SAID ENCLOSURE SUB-ASSEMBLIES TO SAID ENCLOSURE; REGISTRY MEANS REMOVABLY CONNECTING SAID HANDLE SUB-ASSEMBLY, ENCLOSURE SUB-ASSEMBLY AND EXTENDING MECHANISM SUB-ASSEMBLY; SAID REGISTRY MEANS INCLUDING RECESSES AND COOPERATING PROJECTIONS INTERCONNECTING OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED MEMBERS OF SAID SUB-ASSEMBLIES. 